4-H: Clubs attend rabbit, cavy convention

By by Christine Jones June 25, 2014 03:26 pm

The Del Norte County 4-H column runs monthly. This installment was written by Christine Jones.

On June 7 4-H members from Wild River, Pine Grove and Giddy Up ’N’ Goat 4-H clubs headed up the road to Roseburg to attend the annual Oregon League of Rabbit and Cavy Breeders’ state convention. In the past the shows have started on Saturday morning. This year the Western Frontier Rabbit and Cavy Shows held a benefit show on Friday night.

The shows started bright and early on Saturday morning. Several hundred rabbits and around 150 cavies were entered at each show. Del Norte County 4-Hers showed Himalayans, satin, English lop and cream d’argent rabbits. Two of the Himalayans earned legs toward their grand champion certificates. There were two open shows on Saturday, as well as a youth royalty contest.

After Saturday’s shows, many participants attended the Oregon League of Rabbit and Cavy Breeders’ awards dinner at a nearby restaurant. After dinner and dessert, an auction was held to raise funds for scholarships to help youth attend the National Royalty Contest at the American Rabbit Breeders’ Association National Convention, followed by club awards. Taylor Jones, of Wild River 4-H, received an award for being the No. 4 youth rabbit exhibitor for 2013.

Sunday morning it was back to the fairgrounds for open and youth shows. The shows on Sunday were a little smaller.

Other upcoming shows include Redwood Acres Fair, Humboldt County Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association and the Del Norte County Fair.

June 17 was this year’s first meeting for the bucket calf project. Each year Alexandre Dairy hosts this project. Over 80 children signed up and picked out calves. The children will learn basic care for cows, the production cycle including feeding and calving, and they will even get to watch the milking parlor in action. The children will show their project animals Aug. 2 at the Del Norte County Fair.